Air Racing Classic to make stop in La Junta

Wednesday

Jun 12, 2013 at 9:52 AMJun 12, 2013 at 9:56 AM

From staff reports

La Junta is one of the stops during the 2013 Air Race Classic, a transcontinental speed competition for women pilots, June 18-21. The air race begins in Pasco, Wash., and finishes in Fayetteville, Ark., with eight timing stops along the route, including La Junta. The team with the best total time out of 47 registered teams wins the 2,400 mile race. Each year there is a different route and not since 2004 has there been a stop in Colorado.

Pamela Denahy, La Junta Stop Chair and Director of Tourism & Events for the City of La Junta, says, "There are a number of variables that come along with this air event, so there is no exact timing to the arrival of the racers." She added, "We are planning to see the bulk of racers arrive at the La Junta Municipal Airport between June 19 and 20."

"A number of volunteers are needed to ensure the success of this event including timers and greeters," Denahy says. If anyone is interested in volunteering for the event, please contact Denahy at 719-384-5991 or LaJuntaEvents@gmail.com.

Women's air racing started in 1929 with the First Women's Air Derby and continued through the 1930's and was renewed again after World War II when the All Women's Transcontinental Air Race (AWTAR), better known as the Powder Puff Derby, came into being. The AWTAR held its 30th, final and commemorative flight in 1977. When the AWTAR was discontinued, the Air Race Classic Ltd., (ARC) stepped in to continue the tradition of transcontinental speed competition for women pilots and staged its premier race.

The goal of ARC is to encourage and educate current and future women pilots; increase public awareness of general aviation; demonstrate women's roles in aviation and promote the tradition of pioneering women in aviation. Pilots range in age from 17 to 90 years and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. For additional information on the Air Race Classic visit www.AirRaceClassic.org.